What size dog bed should one buy? Well, dogs vary from size, age, special needs, and their preferred sleeping style. Therefore, once you step into a walk-in store or log in to an online shop, you should first consider what your pet needs. Thus, this guide will take you through the various aspects you should consider before purchasing the right bed for a pet.
How big should a dog’s bed be? Unlike human beings, there is no universal average bed size for dogs since they vary in behavior and size. Besides, they have different needs. Thus, the accuracy in your selection is key to guarantee the comfort of your dog. So, what size of a bed should you choose, and how should you do it? Here are the things to guide your selection.
Like humans, pups need room to stretch and enough support from the bed. Hence, you have to measure the pet to know its length to guarantee its comfort.
It is vital to get the correct measurements. So, for the bed’s length, measure the pup from the nose right to the tail tip while it’s up on its feet. However, do not look for a bed that matches the exact size of your pup. Add a few inches to ensure there is more space for the dog to lounge.
Regarding the bed’s width, take the dimensions of the pet’s shoulders and add 6 inches for extra space. So, if you keep asking yourself, “how big a dog bed do I need?” size up some inches from your dog’s exact measurements.
Some beds are labeled “large,” but they might slightly differ with the dog’s exact measurements. By purchasing the correct bed size, you’ll be guaranteeing its longevity since it will take the pressure exerted on it.
Pets have dissimilar health conditions and special wants. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of any special condition your pet has. If they are older, they will be sleeping more, and thus may need a more comfortable and bigger bed to have a night of uninterrupted sleep.
Do you have an ailing dog, and you’re stuck on how to choose a dog bed size? If you have a pup with health issues such as joint aches, it would be best if you buy a giant bed. The pet will find a comfortable sleeping position effortlessly.
Some dogs love to burrow and create comfortable nests and caves on the bed. If yours behaves like that, it’s best to get them a big dome-shaped bed. Noteworthy, some dogs may change their sleeping pattern and style, dependent on the weather. When it’s hot, the pet sprawls, and curls when it is cold. Therefore, take note of such sleeping behaviors to get an appropriate bed size.
What size dog bed should I get? Well, after scrutinizing the factors discussed above, you’ll have to pick the most apt size. The beds come in different dimensions to suit the diverse needs of the dogs. The sizes are normally classified into four:
If the dog isn’t above 25lbs, a small bed would be suitable. For example, dogs like Chihuahua are short and lie in their bracket, and hence they may not require much space.
The dog beds under this category vary in styles, contingent on the nature of the dog. It is an advantage because you may want to make a style that will be apposite for the pet.
Most dogs belong to this bracket. Dogs such as American Eskimo need a medium-sized bed to ensure their comfort. If your pet is midsized, consider looking at its special needs.
When shopping for medium-sized beds, add 6 to 12 inches from the pet’s exact measurements. Hence, if you are asking yourself how big should my dogs bed be? Then it would help if you took note of this.
How large should my large dog bed be? Most large dog owners keep asking themselves this question. Large dogs need a more spacious bed compared to other dog breeds. Therefore, their beds should be gigantic to accommodate them. Huge dogs exert a lot of pressure on the bed. So, if you procure a small bed, then chances of it breaking or getting spoilt are high.
| Size / Weight | Bed Size | Example Breeds | Buy on: |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Small 24" x 18" | Pomeranian, Dachshund, Jack Russel Terrier, Yorkie, Rat Terrier, Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer | |
| | Medium 33" x 27" | Boxer, Bull Dog, Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Corgi, Basset Hound, English Springer Spaniel, Shar Pei, Australian Shepherd, Wheaton Terrier, Bull Terrier | |
| | Large 40" x 34" | Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman Pincher, Siberian Husky, Weimaraner, Collie, Vislas, Serdale, Chow, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Standard Poodle | |
| | X-Large 54" x 38" | Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Old English Sheepdog, St. Bernard, Weimaraner | |
| | XX-Large 68" x 40" | Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Napolitan Mastif, Newfoundland, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound |
You would want to get your buddy a flamboyant bed that captures everyone’s attention. However, before doing that, make a good observation of their temperament. Below are some few personalities you should look at before making your purchase:
Some individuals disregard their pet’s personality or assume they’ll not transfer their actions to bed, which isn’t right. Dogs that constantly love playing and jumping in mad require a bed that is washable and can dry fast. Besides, a playful dog will always play anywhere it wants. Hence, you should get a big bed to withhold its playfulness.
These are just some of the few personalities every dog owner must watch. You should observe your little buddy closely before procuring a bed to make certain you pick the proper item.
On top of checking all the boxes of the necessities for the right size, you should pay attention to the beddings. Analyze whether they will suit your dog and its behaviors. Wrong beddings can worsen allergies or make it hectic for you during cleaning. Therefore, there are specific things pet owners should look at when picking beddings.
For instance, establish the level of shedding. If the pet sheds a lot, opt for a bed that has removal beddings for hygiene purposes. Further, for a tiny pet that is still undergoing toilet training, it is proper to get small beddings that can be washed and dry easily since you will be doing the cleaning often or rather, waterproof to avoid frequent cleaning.
When procuring, concentrate on the quality of the beddings. Beddings that wear and tear quickly can often be spotted at first sight. Therefore, take your time and assess the quality, without forgetting the dog’s behavior. A pet that loves to chew should have tough beddings on its bed.
Loose fills are also not easy to clean. Besides, they breakdown when washed. Thus, even though they might be affordable, you will still have to make several replacements. Once the dog starts exerting pressure on the bed, the fills will most likely shift or shrink, and the bed will become unbearable and even smaller for the pet. If the pet has joint pains, you can imagine how much it will be suffering.
So, how big should a dog bed be, and what type of filling should it have? You should purchase a more compact and big bed and avoid those with fills. The big compact bed might be quite pricey, but their longevity is guaranteed.
Customers are slowly moving away from the walk-in stores. Most businesses have adapted to this by offering online stores. Some shoppers would prefer walking into a pet store and picking out the exact thing they want. However, the strides online shops have taken to ensure their clients make the right purchase are tremendous and plausible. Do not be worried about size anymore since most online shops post the product’s exact measurements accompanied by a brief description.
Furthermore, online stores have reviews from clients who have used the items and FAQS. Such things will guide you into knowing what the product is all about. Contrarily, walk-in shops do not have a variety of reviews, and hence you can’t know other buyers’ opinions.
When shopping online, you get the privilege to go through several models and brands, unlike in physical pet stores where your choice is limited to the specific items in the store. To get a variety of samples, you have to walk through various shops, which sometimes can be tiresome. Here’s a summary of the comparison between online shops and traditional pet stores.
| Online Shop | Pet Store |
| 1. You can browse through various products from your home. 2. There are various reviews from satisfied and unsatisfied clients. 3. FAQS give you directions on how the products work. 4. Delivery of the item at your doorstep. | 1. You have to walk into different stores physically.. 2. Reviews are limited. 3. There are no FAQs to offer guidance in knowing more about the item. 4. Some pet stores do not deliver. |
The dimensions of a dog bed to purchase is a dilemma most owners go through. It is imperative to note that the dog’s comfort is essential and should always be the main focus when procuring a bed. Therefore, ensure you select the correct-sized bed by knowing the accurate weight of the pet.
Also, the dimensions of the pup are critical. The little buddy should be able to fit easily in the sleeping item. Additionally, learn the personality of the pet. It’ll help avoid making a purchase that will fail to serve the pup or one that’ll not last long.
Images credits: Amazon.com & photo stocks.